Voting-machine.



No. 649,443. Patented May i5, |900.V E. GEOFFRIONGL C-. E. BELANGER.

VOTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 4, 1899.)

(lo Model.)

ma onmx Pneus co, Fumo-mno wAsHmnTo No. 649,443. Patented May l5, |900.

E. GEDFFRION C. E. BELANGER. A

VOTING MACHINE.

(Application led Mar. 4, 1899., (No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 3,

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Patented May I5, |900.

E. GEDFFRION &. C. E. BELANGER. I

VOTING MACHINE.

(Application led Mar. 4, 1899.; (No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet Af1.

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No. 649,443. Patented May l51 |900. E. GEOFFRION &. C. E. BELANGER.

VOTING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 4, 1899.1 (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

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No. 649,443. Patented May,| 5,`s9oo. E. GEoFFmoN & c. E. BELANGER.VOTING MACHINE.

, (Application led Mar. 4, 1899.| (olndel.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 6.

UNiTED STATES PATENT FFICE.

ERNEST GEOFFRION AND CHARLES E.

BELANGER, OF MONTREAL, CAADA.

VOTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION foaming part of Letters ratent No. 649,443, dated. May 15,1900.

Application filed March 4, 1899. Serial No. 707,81 '7. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom, it my concern.-

Be it known that we, ERNEST GEOFFRION and CHARLES EDOUARD BELANGER,subjects of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, residing in the cityand district of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Voting-Machines; and we do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertai ns to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to improvements in voting-machines.

One object of our invention is to provide a construction by means ofwhich a vote will be registered for the candidate for Whom the voter isvoting and on the register of the total number of voters, at the sametime giving an indication of the voting by sounding an alarm.

A further object is to provide a construction in which when thevoting-lever has been depressed it will become automatically locked andcannot be again operated until released.

A further object is to provide a construction by means of which it ispossible for the person in charge of the machine to determine whether ornot the voting-levers are in operative or inoperative position.

A further object is to provide a construction by means of which theoperating-handles which are exposed during the use of the machine can bereadily removed and the opening through which said lever operatesautomatically closed to prevent any access to the interior of thevoting-machine.

Afurther object of our invention is to provide a construction which isneat and attractcap or cover being removed in order that the mechanismmay be more clearly shown. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectionalview of our machine, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is ahorizontal sectional view taken centrally through the counting-wheels.Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig.3. Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3 lookingtoward the front of the machine. Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional viewtaken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a view taken on the line 7 7of Fig. 2. Fig. S is a detail of the lockingarms and their operatingmechanism. Fig. 9 is a perspective detail of the mechanism for operatingthe total-vote register. Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of thesame, taken on the line 10 10 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a detail of thefront end of one of the votinglevers. Fig. 12 is a detail of the rearend of the lever used to return the mechanism to its normal position.Fig. 13 is a detail of the spring-pawl for moving the voting mechanismforward. Fig. 14 is a detail of the mechanism for preventing the returnof the voting mechanism after it has been moved forward during thevoting operation. Fig. 15 is adetail showing the construction of theband containing the indicating-band. Fig. 16 is an enlarged View showingthe mechanism for preventing the depressing of more than one handle.Fig. 17 is a similar view showing the parts in position when one of thehandles is depressed. Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the mechanismshown in Fig. 16. Fig. 19 is a detail of the guides for the slidesshown.

There have been heretofore several votingmachines devised which areadapted to register the vote of the people by means of the pressingdownward of levers or the pushing of buttons; but in each of theseconstructions it is intended that a plurality of candidates be votedfor, together with a plurality of ofiices which are to be illed. Thisnecessitates the use of an exceedingly-complicated machine, whichperforms its Work only when the machine is used in its entirety.Machines of this character are not suitable for use where there are buttwo candidates, as they tend to complicate instead of facilitating theprogress of the election.

The present construction is intended primarily for use with two or morecandidates, and a machine of this class can be readily used inassembliesdlouses of Parliament, tbc., as well as for general elections,the machine being so constructsd as to be compact and easilytransported.

To enable a better understandingr of the drawings, we new present adetail description of the invention as disclosed in the drawings.

1 designates a casing formed of the sides 2 and 3, the front 4C, theback 5, and top and bottom G. The top and bottom and the sides 2 and 3are ixedly secured together, while the :front is formed in two parts,one of which (designated as at 7) is removably secured to the sides, asshown, while the portion of the back designated as S is removablysecured at the back of the device. These are formed in this manner for apurpose hereinafter described.

Within the casing is mounted a transverse shaft 9, on which are securedthe individual counting-wheels 10, having their peripheries arrangedwith numbers placed thereon consecutively, the numbering on each wheelbeing similar. The wheels 10 are formed substantially as shown in Fig. 3iu crosssection, the outer side of eachof said wheels being providedwith a series of extending portions 11, each of which is .formed withteeth 12. The teeth 12 are arranged to rotate said wheel by themechanism presently to be described and also serving to form a stopagainst the return movement of said wheel, the larger toothed portionserving to move the Wheel forward, while the smallertoothed portionprevents said wheels returning.

The wheels 10 are adapted to be actuated by means of suitable nprights123, each of which is provided with a spring-pawl 1li, having its freeend provided with latcrallycxtending portions 15, adapted to passthrough an opening within the upright, as best shown in Fig. 13. Thelower end of the upright 13 is removably secured to a lever 1e,pivotally mounted at the rear of the machine, as at 17, said leverhaving its front end arranged to receive the voting-handles 1S, saidhandles being removably secured to said lever, as shown. The voting-handles extend out- Wardly through the front; of the machine, suitiable openings 19 being arranged within said 'front to allow of thevertical movement of said handles. As shown in Fig. 1l, the connectionbetween the upright 123 and the lever 1G is a loose one, the end of theupright 123 passing through a suitable slet 20, formed in the lever 1G,said slot allowing of a nievement of the end of the upright when saidlever is oscillated on its pivot, thereby keeping the upright in a truevertical position at all times.

It will be readily seen that when one of the handles 1S is moveddownward the pawl 1-lwill engage with one of the teeth on the wheel 10,causing said wheel to move on its pivot,

exposing, as hereinafter shown, the next succeeding number on theperiphery of said disk. To cause said upright 13 to have a true verticalmoveinent, we provide suitable rolls 21, pivotally mounted on the side,said rolls being adapted to embrace said uprights 1f). To prevent thereturn rotary movement of said wheels 10, we provide a suitable catch22, formed substantially as shown in Fig. 1l. This catch comprises apivotally-mounted pawl 23, said pawl being adapted to be held in contactwith the teeth 12 of the extending portion 11 by means of a spring 24,the pawl and spring` being` mounted within a suitable casing 25, asshown, As shown in Figs. Lt and 5, the catch is secured to the sides 2and 3, the pawl extending into the path of movement of the teeth 1 2 elthe extending' portions 1l, said pawl allow ing a wheel to move in onedirection, bcing the movement forwardly, but preventing such movementrearwardly in an. obvious manner. By this construction it will be seenthat the wheels 10 may have a rotatory move ment in one direction, butcan have such 1novement only a distance of one tooth, the movement ofone tooth carrying a new number into sight. It will also be seen thatbythe construction of the paw 23 in the manner shown the wheel can onlymove forward one tooth, the voting-handles being regulated to impart avertical movement to the upright 13 to a limited extent, the friction ofthe pawl 23 preventing any liability of the wheel being carried forwardmore than one tooth by giving a quick impulse tothe voting-handles.

In machines of this character it is desirable that `in addition to thenumber of 1'ndivid ual voting-wheels used a total-wheel be provided, bymeans of which it is capable of antomatically registering the totalnumber of votes for both candidates in order that a true statement maybe had and also by means of which comparison may be made to ascertain ifthe combined vote of the two candidates tally with that of the totalnumber of voters voting. ln the present construction this isaccomplished by means of the mechanism which is new to be described.

2G designates a circular disk pivotally mounted to the portion rZot thefront 11, as best shown in Fig. The d isk 2G has a rearwardly extendingflange 27, which has its edge portion arranged with teeth 2%. rlhe faceof the flange 27 is provided with a series of radiallyextending pins orteeth 2f), which are adapted to enter into suitable openings 250,arranged within a steel band 3l, which partially eneireles said flange,said band extending down wardly and around suitable idlers 32, securednear the lower end of the portion 7, as best shown in Fig. 7. By the useof the pins or teeth 29 and the opeuing() itwill be readily seen thatany movement of the disk 26 will cause said steel band to move in acorrespond Ur) JIJ,

ing direction. A suitaljile band prefer- IOS ably formed of rubber, issecured to the face of the band 31 in order that said band 33 may have amovement similar to and with said steel band. The front face of the band33 is provided with a series of consecutively-arranged numbers, asshown, said numbers being adapted to be exposed successively, ashereinafter set forth.

To rotate the disk 27, we provide the construction best shown in Figs. 9and 10 of the drawings, which construction we will now describe.

34 designates a partition mounted horizontally within the casing nearthe top of the machine. To the under side of this partition and at oneside thereof is mounted a casing 35, formed substantially as shown inFig. 9. Tit-hin the casing 35 and extending vertically through thepartition 34 is a rod 36, having a forwardly-extending angular portion37, to the end of which is secured a -spring-pawl38,'formed similar tothe pawl15.

A. spring 39 is located on the rod 36 between the casing 35 and the armor portion 37, said spring serving to normally hold said rod in itsraised or upper position. The rod is also provided withlaterally-extending arms 40, which are adapted to be acted upon by theangular portion 41 of the upright 13. By this construction it will bereadily seen that when the voting-handles are pressed downward theangular extensions 41 of the upright 13 will be drawn downwardly by themovement of said handles, thereby drawing the rod downwardly against theaction of the spring 39, the drawing-down movement of said rod causingthe pawl 38 to contact with the teeth 2S, causing the disk 26 to movethe distance of one tooth, which exposes the next succeeding number onthe face of the band 33. Upon release of the voting-handles the spring39 will force the rod 3G upwardly and place it in position for the nextdownward movement of the voting-handles and theruprights 13. As bothnprights are connected operatively to the arm 40, it will be seen thatthis downward movement of the rod 36 will be had regardless of which ofthe uprights 13 may be pressed downward.

To prevent a return movement of the disk 2G, we place a suitablespring-stop 42 on the front 4, said spring having its free end locatedin the path of movement of the teeth 23, which allows of a movement ofthe disk 26 in one direction, but which prevents its movement in theopposite direction, the free end of said spring engaging with one of theteeth.

In order that no voter may be able to vote successively for onecandidate, it is necessary that the voting-handle be lockedA in aposition where it will be impossible to move it until unlocked, theunlocking beingata point where the voter cannot manipulate it. Thislocking mechanism is preferably formed as shown in Fig. S, consisting ofthe frame 43, within which are mounted two spring-bolts 44, adapted tonormally extend outwardly from the frame into the path of movement ofthe voting-handles. These bolts are arranged so that when thevoting-handle is depressed the handle will cause the bolt 44 located inits path of movement to be forced inwardly on its bearing, allowing thevoting-handles to pass below the bolt. Immediately upon its passage pastthe bolt the spring located on said bolt will cause the bolt to be movedforwardly over t-he voting-handles, thus locking said handle inposition, the movement of the handle having recorded the vote and at thesame time the number of the vote, as hereinbefore set forth. To releasesaid handles,- we connect the inner end of said bolt to a suitablerocking lever 45, pivotally mounted, as at 46, the connection being bymeans of suitable chains or ropes 47, as shown in Fig. 4. The rear endof the lever 45 is provided with a removable handle 48, which extendsoutwardly through the rear of the casing, a suitable slot 49 beingformed for its passage therethrough and also to allow of its movement onits pivot. The lever 45 is held normally in an inoperative position bymeans of a suitable spring 50, interposed between the under side of saidlever in rear of its pivotpoint and the bottom G, as shown in Fig. 5.From this it will be seen that when either of the voting-handles aremoved downward, the handles being held in a downward position by meansof the bolts 44 when itis desired to release said bolt, the rear end ofthe lever 45, or rather the handle 43, is depressed, raising the forwardend, which causes the chain 47 to draw the bolts inward until said boltsare out of the path of movement of the votinghandle, whereupon aslide-plate51 at the front of the casing will cause said handle to moveupward, the plate 51 being provided with a spring 52 for this purpose,the spring 52 and plate 51 being adapted to hold said votinghandles intheir upper position.

As it is essential that notice be given to the keepers of the electionthat a vote has been recorded, we place on the upper side of thepartition 34 a suitable bell 53, having its mechanism so arranged thatupon the drawing downward of a pawl beyond a predetermined distance thebell mechanism will operate and sound the gong, the parts returning totheir normal position when the handle has been released. This mechanismis operated by means of a suitable frame 54, hingedly connected to theunder side of the partition 34. This frameis connected to thebellmechanism and has forwardly-extending arms 55 located below theangular extension of the uprights 13, as shown in the drawings. Thisconstruction causes the frame to be moved or oscillated downwardly eachtime either one of the voti ng-handles is operated, which downwardmovement of the frame serves to sound the alarm to indicate that a votehas been made, thus indicating also to the officer of IOC the electionthat it is necessary to release the voting mechanism in order that thenext voter may be able to vote.

As an additional indicator we provide the rear of the machine with asuitable opening. On the inner side of the back are arranged suitableguides 56, said guides being located on opposite sides of said opening.Mounted to have a vertical movement within said guides is a suitableplate 57, having its face which rides against the back 8 provided withsuitable indicating-1n arks, such as colors, said marks beingdistinguishable through the opening. Said plate is connected to one endof a cord or a series of cords which lead upward and forwardly oversuitable pulleys and downwardly inside of the front 4, the free end ofsaid cord being connected to the levers 1G. A suitable spring 58 is alsoconnected to said plate and to the back, said spring serving to normallyhold said plate in a lower po-fsition, where but one of the marks can beseen through the opening in the back. Then either of the levers 16 isdepressed du ring the operation of voting, the downward movement of saidlever causes the cord to be drawn upon, thus raising the plate 57 withinits guide, movn ing the mark formerly seen through the opening out ofits position in rear of said opening, bringing into view through saidopening the remaining mark. As long as the voting-levers are at theirdepressed position said second mark will be in position to be seenthrough the opening and will remain in such position until the lever a5is operated to release the voting-handles, whereupon the spring 5S willmove said plate to its initial position. By this means it will bepossible for the officer of the election to disregard the sound of thegong, yet be able to distinguish as to whether the vote has beenregistered and the levers locked.

As heretofore stated, the voting-handles 1S and the removable handles i8are removably connected to their respective levers. The object of thisremoval is to so close the interior of the machine as to prevent anyaccess thereto after the election has been closed. This is accomplishedby means of the plate G0, mounted in suitable guides 6l, said platesbeing adapted to be 'forced downwardly by reason of springs G2,interposed between the top of said plate and a suitable support G3. Oneof said plates is located above each of said handles, and when thehandles are removed and withdrawn from the lever to which they areconnected and from the machine said plates will automatically passdownward within the casing, and thereby close the opening for thepassage of said handle. lt will be understood, of course, that theseplates will move during the operation of the handleg' but as theplaterests on the handle there will be no deleterions effect from suchmovement of said plate. Upon removal of the handles they are placedwithin a suitable receptacle 6i, provided on the inner side of the back8, said receptacle being closed by means of a suitable door (55,

which is normally kept locked and can be opened only by the properollicer.

The front of the machine is provided with suitable openings, throughwhich the nu mbcrs located on the wheels lO and the disk 2G may be seen,the opening being large enough te allow of the inspection of but onenumber, this number being the number of the last vote. rlhese openingsare kept closed during the period of voting by means of suitable capsGG, which caps are secured thereon prior to the commencement of votingand are removed after the voting is finished, whereupon an inspection ofthe exposed numerals will give the total vote of each candidate, besidesgiving a register of the number of persons who have voted.

If desired, the casing may be provided with suitable openings 67, asshown in Fig. l, by means of which the sound-of the bell may be moreeasily heard.

As it is necessary that means may be provided for preventing thedepressing of more than one of the handles at the same time in orderthat no inaccuracies in the recording of the vote may occur, we providethe following-described mechanism:

The slide-plate 5l (one of which is provided for each operating-handle)is mounted in guides GS, secured on the sides of the casing and inguides 6l), formed within a supporting frame 70, located intermediatethe handles. This plate is formed substantially as shown in Figs. 1G,17, and 1S of the drawings, being located below the handle and subjectedto its movement. The frame is provided with a plurality of guides 69, asshown in Fig. lh, and is also provided with a slot 7l, within which ispivotally mounted a toothed wheel 72. The toothed wheel 72 is adapted tobe rotated by means of suitable depending toothbars 73, one of which issecured on each plate 5l, said bars 73 being pressed inwardly toward thewheel 72 by means of springs 7l, as shown. The normal position of theslideplate 5l is as shown in Fig. 1G, in which position the teeth of thebar 73 are out of engagement with the wheel 72, caused by the use ofinclined guides 75, formed on the frame 70, which contact with theinclined face 71S of the bars 73. As will be readily seen,when one ofthe handles is depressed the slot 5l will be forced downward, carryingwith it the bar 73, which by the action of the spring 74; will contactwith the wheel 72, the downward movement causing the wheel to berotated, this movement continuing until the handle passes below the boltdat, which locks the handle, as hereinbefore set forth. When in thisposition, any attempt to force another handle downward will befrustrated, as it will be impossible to move the opposite bar 73downward. Should the attempt be made to force both handle-bars down atthe same time, neither could pass downward, as the wheel 7 cannot rotatein both directions at Athe same Upon the release of the handle 18 thetime.

IOC

IIO

spring 52 will cause it to move upwardly, allowing the bars 7 3 to passupwardly, the inclined faces and 76 causing the bar to move away fromthe wheel 7 2.

Vihile we have shown the front of the casing as removable, yet we do notlimit ourselves to such construction, but may make the same a part ofthe casing, and instead of forming the rear portion 8 removable we maymake the samein the form of a door which is hingedly connected andcapable of being securely locked. Where the casing is made metallic thelatter construction is desirable.

The operation of our machine is believed to be clear; but in order thatno doubt may be had as to such operation we will now proceed to give adetailed description, the election being one where candidates ofdifferent parties are io be voted for.

The names of the candidates are first placed above theindividualvote-counting-wheels openings, as shown in Fig. 1, and each ofthe wheels 10 and the disk 26 set at the Zeromark. The cap 66 is placedin position when the machine is ready for the vot-ing to begin. Theiirst voter passes into the votinglbooth and afterdeciding on thecandidate he intends voting for he presses the proper handle 18, whichserves to move the wheel 10 in rear of the name of the candidate forwhom he is voting forward one notch, thus causing said wheel to passforward and expose the numeral 1 through the opening. At the same timethe total wheel or disk has been moved forward one notch, exposing thenumeral 1 on the band 38, making the total vote read 1 and thecandidate 1. As before explained, the pressing down of thevoting-handles locks the mechanism, so that no further vote can be haduntil the rocking lever 45 has been operated. When the handle 18 wasdepressed, the bell was rung and the plate 57 changed, thus indicatingthat the vote has been recorded. Upon this voter leaving the booth theofcer of the election operates the rocking lever 44, releasing thehandles and placing the machine in position for voting by the nextvoter. If the next voter voted for the candidate of the other party, thesame operation will be repeated, with the result that each wheel 10 willexpose the numeral 1,v while the disk 26 will have the number 2 exposed.

While we have in this description of the operation stated that numberswill be exposed, it is to be understood that by reason of the use of thecap 66 these numbers are not visible to the voter, the statement as toexposure being made for the purpose of describing the operation clearly.

After all the voters have voted the handles 18 and 48 are removed, andthe opening through which they pass will be closed by the plates 60. Thehandles are then placed in their receptacle 64, which is then locked toprevent any person except the proper authority from having any access tothe interior of the machine. The cap 66 is now removed, whereupon thevote for each candidate will be seen through the proper openings,together with the total vote, which total vote should equal the vote ofthe two candidates being voted for.

When it is again desired to use the machine, the door is unlocked, thehandles 18 and 48 having been taken from their receptacles. after whichthe plates 60 in the front of the machine are raised and the handles 18inserted in their proper position. The wheels 10 and the disk 26 arealso rotated to expose the zero-mark, after which the handle 48 isinserted through its opening, the plate 60,

which had covered it, having been raised andi the door closed andlocked, the handle 48 being then placed in its proper position. Themachine is then ready for voting and the voting operation heretoforedescribed takes place.

The advantagesy of our construction are many, including the ease withwhich the machine cau be operated, its absolute prevention of anyrepeating, the ability to entirely close the machine in order that itmay be kept from being tampered with, the readiness with which thereturns can be obtained, its neat and attractive appearance, durabilityof construction, and its low cost of manufacture.

While we have shown the mechanism as arranged for use with but twocandidates, it is obvious that by increasing the number of wheels 10 andthe voting-handles 18 and duplicating the independent mechanism of eachhandle more candidates maybe voted for, and we desire it to beunderstood that such additions will fall within the spirit and scope ofthe invention. l

While we have herein shown a preferred form of carrying our inventioninto effect, yet we do not desire to limit ourselves to such preferreddetails of construction, but claim the right to use any and allmodiiications thereof which will serve to carry into effect the objectsto be attained by this invention in so far as such modifications andchanges may fall within the spirit and scope of our said invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new is- 1. Avoting-machine, comprising a casing; vote-registering mechanism locatedwithin said casing; voting-handles extending out#A wardly through saidcasing, said handles hav ing a pivotal movement within said casing, saidhandles also being removably connected to the registering mechanism; andmeans for automatically closing said casing when said handles have beenremoved, substantially as described.

.2. A voting-machine, comprising a casing; voteregistering mechanismlocated within said casing; removable hand-les connected to saidregistering mechanism, said handles extending outward through thecasing; mech anism within said casing adapted to automatically close theopening through which said handles extend into said casing; and areceptacle located within said casing, and normally locked, forreceiving` said handles after their removal, substantially as described.

3. In a voting-machine, the combination with vote-registering mechanism;and handles for imparting movement to said mechanism, each handleoperating said mechanism independently; ot a vertically-moving framemounted in the path of movement of each handle, each handle having anindependent `frame; a pivotallymounted rack-bar connected te each frame,each rack-bar being normally held in an inoperative position; and atoothed Wheel mounted between said rackbars, said wheel being adapted tobe rotated in one direction by the downward movement of one of saidframes and its rack-bar and be retained in locked position while theframe is held in its lower position, whereby the remaining handleswillbe prevented from moving to operate the registering mechanism.

4. In a voti1igmachine, the combination with vote-registering mechanism;and independentlyoperating handles to impart movement to said mechanism;ot a series of vertically-moving frames, one for each handle, located inthe path of movement ol' the handles, each frame carrying a rack-barpivotally mounted; a toothed wheel adapted to be actuated by either ofsaid rack-bars, pivotally mounted in juxtaposition to said trames; meansfor holding said rack-bars out of engagement with said toothed wheelwhen said frames are in their upper positions, said rackbars passinginto engagement with said wheel upon the downward movement of the f rameand imparting a rotary movement to said wheel, whereby the remainingrack-bars will be prevented from operating said wheel while one rack-baris in operative connection therewith; and means for returning saidframes to their normal position upon the release of said handle.

5. In a voting-machine, the combination with vote-registering mechanism;and independently-operating handles to impart movement to saidmechanism; ot a series ot' vertically-moving frames, one for eachhandle, located in the path of movement of the handles, each handlecarrying an operating-pawl5 a pivotallyanounted member mounted in thepath of movement of said pawls, said pawls being held normally out ot'engagement with. said member, the movement of one of said pawls intocontact with said member serving to prevent the movement of 'theremaining pawls, whereby the movement of more than one handle to operatesaid mechanism at the same time will be prevented.

h'. Atotal-registerforvoting-macliines,c0m prising an aetnatingdliskhavingl its periphery provided with radially-extending pins; an endlessband, having openings adapted to receive said pins, located on saiddisk; an endless band7 having its edge provided with con sccutivenumbers, secured on said irst-mentioned band; and means l'orimparling astepby-step movement to said disk.

7. rlhe combination with a voting-machine, having votinghandlesremovably secured therein; of means, located within the easing of saidmachine, t'or automatically closixn;l the openings through which saidhandles pass, when said handles are removed.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of twowitnesses.

ERNEST (tlCOhhltlON'. CHARLES lll. 'iHClL/\l\l(`rltl,t. W itnesscs: l

J. A. Nahum, llonamv. G. 'Darm

